Phil Ervin

Ervin came flying out of the gate after being taken in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Reds, but took a big step back at Low-A Dayton last season. While he made the same amount of contact, hi...

Ervin is hitting .278/.381/.423 so far in his professional debut at Rookie-level Billings in the Pioneer League through 26 games. He has drawn 14 walks and struck out 18 times, and is 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts.

Ervin, the Reds' first-round pick in the 2013 draft out of Samford University, got off to a flying start in his professional career, hitting .331/.425/.564 combined between Rookie-level and Low-A ball and going 14-of-15 on the basepaths to boot. As a college draftee, Ervin was expected to advance quickly through the lower levels of the minors, so 2014 will bring on a greater test, with him possibly hitting High-A pretty early in the season. He might struggle initially if the wrist injury that ended his season persists in the spring.